FIRE Milestones – “What Are You Going To Do?”

I gave my formal notice for early retirement from MegaCorp to my boss last month. Everything went great and I thank everyone for all your well wishes. I will post next week about how it all happened – and how we celebrated that night. In the meanwhile … I’ll answer the question everyone is asking …

When you announce your early retirement, EVERYBODY wants to know what you are going to DO?! As I’ve written, I find it fun to simply say “My plans? … To do as much as I can, and as little as want.” Of course, people know that I am just being flip (as I usually am) and want to know my real plans. Details. Specifics.

The fact is, despite 25+ years in marketing, I have a hard time communicating ALL of the things I really want to do into a tight 30 second commercial, because my life is not a ‘single-minded value proposition’ to communicate. There are dozens and dozens of things I want to do and I have lots of lists I’ve created. Life lists. Bucket lists. “Not Bored” lists of new vocations and activities.

In preparation for the “What are you going to DO?” question, I organized this list, using a graphic ‘Life Wheel’ that I put together – very similar to many life wheels you can find online – but all designed to articulate where you find your spark in life.

This wheel has 8 different dimensions. I believe variety is the spice of life and the richest lives are those that reach their potential in multiple ways. Within each segment, the challenge is to think of the activities that you would find enjoyable & fulfilling. Things that will give you energy. Here’s mine:

Someone told me that a dog is a friend with exercise built-in. Friends have warned us that getting a dog would be like starting all over with a baby, so we’ll see. I could go either way. Maybe after a couple years of goofing off we’ll get one.

Thanks, Jim – Yes it was a bit of a surreal experience. You think about what it is going to be like for literally years, and then you do it. Very much an out-of-body experience even now – a two days later. Thanks for the comment!

I don’t have any background in theater, but we love to go to plays. We went to a local playhouse this summer to see an original Sherlock Holmes production and noticed that for not a huge donation you could be on their Patron’s Board and get involved. Sounded cool. Have you done much family history?

I’m working on my family history avidly before heading to Yorkshire this summer because one line is from there and I’d love to find some family records that aren’t available online while I’m there. I’m currently stuck in 1758. 🙂

1758 is very good! We have a few lines into the 1700s, but nothing earlier than that. I would love to take a trip to explore somethings … top choice would be Bavaria. Maybe your ancestors are at “Downton Abbey”/Highclere in Yorkshire!

Thanks! The news went well – very positive, but a bit surreal for sure. I’m definitely a “list person” so this was a fun one to think about and put together over the last 12 months. What unique ideas are on your list?

Our kids are still young so a lot will revolve around them. I would like to venture off on my own to create a little side business. Nothing we’d need to rely on for money, just for the challenge of making something from nothing.

On Friday afternoon though, we found out we’d be moving to England in August so that changes everything up a bit!

That is One Awesome List!!! Hubs and I have a list that we simply call, Our List. It is added to whenever either of us begins a sentence with, “I wanna…” Whatever that item may be goes on the list, and we will spend the rest of our lives trying to cross things off the list. We just crossed off a major one of mine – zip lining in a place that has parrots or monkeys! There’s a blog post to follow, I’m sure…

I like your list. I too was asked what I was going to do in retirement. I came up with a general theme of experiencing life. Try new experiences (or revisit old ones) and write them up in my blog. I have a goal of 937 experiences. Some big, some small, some silly, some fun. Thanks for your ideas.